A paraplegic veteran recently gave his bride an unforgettable wedding gift – a first dance without his wheelchair.

According to ABC News, Indiana resident Sgt. Joey Johnson, who served in Afghanistan, injured his spine in a 2012 motorcycle accident. Since then, he has been confined to a wheelchair and has no feeling below his chest.

But that didn't stop the 27-year-old from standing during his first dance with his now-wife, Michelle, at their wedding reception in June. Much to Michelle's surprise, Johnson and his friends had secretly put together a harness that allowed him to stand.

"Everyone was crying in the room, " Michelle told ABC. "It was so amazing to be eye to eye with him again and such a dream come true."